Down Payment & Home Buying Costs

You don’t need $80,000 to buy a home. Down payments start at 0%–3% in 2026. See minimum requirements by loan type, real cost tables, and free DPA grant programs.

Most buyers waste years saving 20% down they never needed. The 2026 reality: first-timers put down 10%, and 2,624 programs offer $18K average assistance. Here’s how to access it.